New poll finds majority of people in NI support immigration checks at border

The research also suggested racism is now viewed as an issue at least as serious as sectarianism in Northern Ireland

Three in five people in Northern Ireland support immigration checks on the border with the Republic of Ireland, even if it means creating a harder border, according to new polling carried out in the aftermath of last month’s riots.

The More in Common survey, which saw interviewed 1,000 adults across NI, found 62 per cent backed border checks, while 71 per cent said the UK Government, Irish Government and Northern Ireland Executive should work together on migration issues. Nationalist voters were almost evenly split, with 45 per cent supporting checks and 44 per cent preferring to keep the border open as it is.

The research, conducted a month after the disorder erupted across parts of Belfast and Northern Ireland in the wake of the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie, also found immigration is now one of the public’s biggest concerns.

Some 44 per cent of respondents ranked it among the three most important issues facing Northern Ireland, while 78 per cent said they were concerned about illegal immigration compared with 34 per cent who expressed concern about legal migration.

However, the survey also found strong public condemnation of the violence, with 62 per cent describing the disorder as riots rather than protests, 60 per cent saying it brought shame on Northern Ireland, and 77 per cent saying those involved did not speak for them.

The polling also found overwhelming opposition to violent acts committed during the unrest. Nine in ten respondents said setting fire to vehicles was unjustified, 87 per cent said attacks on migrant homes and businesses could not be justified, and 80 per cent opposed intimidating migrants into leaving their communities. Peaceful protest was the only action tested that attracted majority support, with 75 per cent saying it was justified.

The research suggests racism is now viewed as an issue at least as serious as sectarianism in Northern Ireland. Three-quarters of respondents (76 per cent) described racism as a serious problem, compared with 73 per cent who said the same of sectarianism, while 68 per cent cited paramilitary activity. Six in ten believed racism had increased over the past five years, and half felt society had not done enough to tackle it.

Asked how politicians should respond to outbreaks of violence, 58 per cent said their priority should be reducing tensions, correcting misinformation and avoiding inflaming the situation. Just 4 per cent believed politicians should encourage public anger.

The survey also painted a mixed picture of public attitudes towards Northern Ireland more broadly. Nearly half of respondents (49 per cent) said the region feels divided, yet 60 per cent believed its best years are still ahead, and three-quarters said people generally look out for one another.

Conleth Burns, Associate Director for Northern Ireland at More in Common, said: “A month on from the riots, what’s clear from this research is that people right across Northern Ireland – from all community backgrounds – condemn the riots. People looked at burning cars, buses and homes and said this is not us, and this is not who we want to be.

“The same public in Northern Ireland that rejected the violence is worried about both racism, which people now rate as a more serious problem than sectarianism, and about immigration, which is a top concern for many voters and the top concern for unionist voters.

“We also find a depth of public concern about immigration in Northern Ireland. While the political debate seems to be stuck on whether legitimate concerns exist at all, the public are past that argument and asking what should be done, particularly on illegal immigration.”

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